A Nemesis for All Seasons Makes His Last Garden Stop

[LouisvilleLip]

A Nemesis for All Seasons Makes His Last Garden Stop

From : New York Times


By LIZ ROBBINS

Published: April 3, 2005

Ten years have passed, and John Starks is still gripped by the ghastly memory of that May day when the Pacers' Reggie Miller came to Madison Square Garden and struck once, twice, then a final time, eviscerating the Knicks' lead in 8.9 seconds and leaving them dripping in their own disbelief.

How, again, was that possible?

The Knicks were ahead by 6 points with 18.7 seconds remaining in Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals, when Miller, the sinewy shooting guard with the cartoon ears, went to work.

He buried one 3-pointer with 16.4 seconds left. Then, after appearing to push Greg Anthony, he stole the inbounds pass and stepped behind the arc for a second 3-pointer because, he said later, "I wanted to drive a stake through their heart."

The score was tied at 105-105. It took 3.1 seconds, just enough to flummox Starks. A tenth of a second later, thanks to a strange foul by Indiana's Sam Mitchell, Starks found himself dazed at the free-throw line.

"I ended up missing the two free throws," Starks recalled Thursday, "because I still had that thought in my mind - 'I can't believe what just happened.' "

Nobody believed in himself more than Miller that day - which has been the case for virtually all 1,509 games of what will be deemed a Hall of Fame career. Fouled by Anthony Mason, Miller sank two free throws with 7.5 seconds left, and soon the Pacers seized a 107-105 victory. Miller's villainous legend was cemented in the stunned faces of the sellout Garden crowd that day. He half-gloated, half-ran into the locker room with a grin bright enough to light every marquee on Broadway, calling the Knicks "choke artists," one final nefarious act.

Miller's curtain will close in New York on Tuesday after 18 years with the Pacers, highlighted by six playoff series with the Knicks from 1993 to 2000.

He is 39, and at 6 feet 7 inches and 195 pounds, his longevity is itself a feat. Miller leads the league in free-throw percentage (93.3) this season and ranks 13th on the career scoring list with 25,088 points, including 31 in an overtime victory over the Heat on Thursday. Despite averaging 20.5 points in the last 14 games as he has tried to pick up some of the load of the injured Jermaine O'Neal, Miller plans to retire after the season - an enemy no more.

"Reggie lives for those moments, of 'You know what? I'm going to stick it right in your heart and there's nothing you could do about it,' " Magic Johnson said in an interview last month. "He wanted to rub it in your face, and that's what made him such a clutch player. He didn't mind being a goat, either, if he missed it. If he was going to shoot it 100 more times, you can't be afraid to miss."

Every basketball generation has its feared shooters, those expected to take and make the last shots. Jerry West, Mr. Clutch, hit a 60-footer to send Game 3 of the 1970 finals against the Knicks into overtime. Johnson had his baby sky hook in Game 4 of the 1987 finals to beat Boston. Larry Bird outgunned Dominique Wilkins in the fourth quarter of the deciding game of the 1988 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Michael Jordan hit the Shot over Cleveland's Craig Ehlo in 1989, and his 33.4-point playoff scoring average makes him the N.B.A.'s career leader.

Miller has carried their mantle, despite making it to just one N.B.A. finals, a loss to the Lakers in 2000. Curiously, for a player who became a trash-talking, hand-gesturing caricature in New York, Miller has been uncharacteristically quiet, refusing recent interview requests about his retirement.

It was left to the previous generation of clutch players to offer testimonials to one whose championship-less career will be defined by the rings he ran around his defenders.

"I have never seen anybody make more shots to win a game," said Bird, who played against Miller, coached him and is now the Pacers' president of basketball operations. "In Boston, I felt I was going to make it because I spent countless hours shooting those shots. I think my teammates had confidence in me. Here, you see the guys defer to Reggie at the end.

"This kid has done some remarkable things. Reggie was always dramatic. You know when he does it because he lets you know."

Asked where Miller ranked, Bird did not hesitate. "I would put Reggie right behind Michael," he said.


Isiah Thomas said the same thing. "I don't think I've ever seen anybody work harder at shooting the basketball than Reggie Miller," said Thomas, now the Knicks' president. "He'd shoot before and after practice. He shoots, he shoots. People ask why Tiger Woods is so good - it's because he practices. Reggie shoots."

Steve Kerr, whose game-winning shot in the 1997 N.B.A. finals gave Jordan his fifth ring, battled Miller, a former U.C.L.A. star, in the Pac-10. "I remember Arizona-U.C.L.A. games, and he'd shoot from the cactus logo, 32 feet out," said Kerr, now a TNT analyst. "It wasn't his shooting ability - it was his belief. He was the cockiest guy. In college, I couldn't stand him.

"It wasn't until I was in the N.B.A. that I appreciated him. He was so skinny and he'd be overpowered physically by a lot of guys, but his work ethic and his approach, that's what set him apart."

Jordan disdained parts of Miller's approach, Kerr recalled with a laugh. In Game 4 of the 1998 conference finals, Miller appeared to push off Jordan and hit the winning shot. "Michael hated playing against Reggie because it was all hands with him," Kerr said. "I think he said it was like having a chicken fight. Reggie was so crafty coming off screens, a lot of time he'd grab you and pull away."

Just when his opponents were tired of chasing him, Miller would strike. He flailed, flopped and sank shots from the heartland to the media capitals.

"In some respects, he's been hidden," said West, president of the Memphis Grizzlies. "He's not a spectacular player, but he makes spectacular plays. He's one of those people who doesn't create shots for himself, but he has been the best without the ball."

His verbal jousting with the filmmaker Spike Lee in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals stoked the rivalry with the Knicks and established Miller as a pressure player who thrived most when the crowd booed.

To no one's surprise, his 1995 autobiography is entitled "I Love Being the Enemy."

The Pacers' president, Donnie Walsh, who once took heat for drafting Miller over the homegrown favorite Steve Alford in 1987, said Miller put aside his mild, respectful personality whenever he stepped into the Garden. "He was as primed as he could be," Walsh said. "He would be like an opera singer, he was so pumped up."

The year before his "8 points in 8.9 seconds" game, Miller's 25-point fourth-quarter scoring barrage led an improbable comeback in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals. Pictures from the 1998 conference semifinals show Garden fans holding their heads in dread as Miller hit a 3-pointer with 5.9 seconds left to send the game to overtime.

Miller was not always grand in New York, however. He missed the last shot in the last game of the conference finals in 1994, and he disappeared in the 1999 conference finals.

This season was to be Miller's last shot at playoff glory, and his teammates are trying to salvage it for him. The Pacers began as title contenders, before suspensions from the November brawl (Miller was suspended one game for leaving the bench) and injuries took their toll. Now the road leads through the Garden.

"It's going to be interesting to see how the Garden fans will receive him in his last moments," said Starks, who got to know Miller at the 1996 Olympics. "He's a pretty down-to-earth individual; I thought he was going to be this jerk you see on the court.

"I just don't think there are guys out there anymore who fans love to hate. He's an original."

[Indy]

Good article, i cant wait to watch this game

Reggie is going to have a great game, i REALLY REALLY wish i could be there... man i wish i could be there...

god im gonna miss him, tears come to my eyes every time i think about the fact that this is his last year

[The GOAT]

LMAO Lip I'm lovin teh avatar
Yeah I'm watching teh game too.

[Username123]

Its not really a sad thing... he made millions and now is retiring thats not very sad. Anyway its bad to see the best three point player leave

[LouisvilleLip]

LMAO Lip I'm lovin teh avatar
Yeah I'm watching teh game too.

Superman! I hope he brings out the shirt again for this year's playoffs.

[Fresh8]

Hope Reggie plays a great game... and th Knicks fans give him a standing ovation!

[Andrew]

I suppose I'm supposed to hate Reggie Miller, but I just can't. True, he scorched the Bulls at various times but seeing as though the Bulls had a player who could cause similar nightmare for his opponents (yes, yes, I'm obviously referring to Randy Brown) and Chicago ultimately prevailed, I don't have any ill-feeling. I guess I'm not that kind of fan. And he's a 90s guy, so obviously I'm going to back him to a point.

Back in 2000, I really hoped the Pacers would prevail, and no, not because I'm a "hater". I think I've said it before, Reggie is quite like Kareem in that he was quite misunderstood for most his career, and a lot of fans haven't really warmed up to him until he became one of the league's elder statesmen. I was also hoping he'd change his mind about retirement but it's not such a bad time to step down either.

I don't think he's in the same class as Jordan, Bird, Magic, Russell, Chamberlain and co. He doesn't quite share the same kind of stats and success. But when you're talking about the best clutch performers and most dangerous players in the history of the game, he's right up there.

One of the best things I've read about him is how he'll often show up at children's hospitals unannounced, seeking no coverage or praise from the media. On the court, he might have come off as brash and cocky, but that kind of act really shows what kind of person he truly is. With all the stories about athletes and celebrities actually being very arrogant and unlikeable, it's nice to hear about famous people who are humble, down-to-Earth kind people.

Here's hoping Reggie will have a great final outing in Madison Square Garden - no disrespect intended towards the Knicks or Knick fans.

[Indy]

Its not really a sad thing... he made millions and now is retiring thats not very sad. Anyway its bad to see the best three point player leave

actually it is a sad thing for pacers fans. He is a guy who has inspired my game, and has been someone who i have idolized for 16 years since i became a pacers fan. It may not be sad for you which is understandable, but i will be sad for a very long time when he retires.

[LouisvilleLip]

Another Great Article

Reggie plays redemption song for Pacers
By Chad Ford, ESPN Insider


INDIANAPOLIS – Ten years from now, you're going to tell your kids, maybe your grandkids, about how Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers helped save the NBA.

You'll tell them how the Pacers persevered through one of the ugliest incidents in the history of the league.

You'll tell them how the Pacers battled through suspensions, injuries and hopelessness without excuses.

You'll tell them how a 39-year-old jump shooter, years past his prime and in the last season of his career, found within himself not only the courage to compete, but the resolve to inspire the few healthy remaining teammates he had to do the same.

Someday, you'll talk about the improbability of it all.

You'll recall how the Pacers started 17 different players, some of whom barely belonged in the CBA, let alone the NBA.

You'll relate how they had 20 different players in uniform and 28 different starting lineups.

They began the season with the credentials of a contender. After the Nov. 19 brawl with the Detroit Pistons and the Palace of Auburn Hills patrons, the Pacers had the résumé of a lottery team.

Through it all, they had the heart of a champion.

That's high praise for a team that's won just 38 games and still isn't assured that it'll be in the playoffs.

After the scorn and ridicule. After being written off when suspensions and injuries ravaged their roster – the Pacers have turned from exiles to the exalted.

In the course of six months, the Pacers have evolved from the terrible story that everyone was shouting about into the best story few are discussing.

"Anything that can happen to a pro team has happened to us in a major way this year," Jermaine O'Neal said. "But no one is talking about what this team is doing. No one is taking about what this team has done. It's so easy to talk about what hasn't gone right. But, take your top three players and take half of the season away and can they compete? They can't.

"We have heart. It overshadows everything. It overshadows talent. It overshadows adversity. We may be wounded inside and out. But no one will ever be able to question our hearts."

The Pacers' stout hearts were on display March 31 at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Pacers were fighting for their playoff lives against the best team in the league, the Miami Heat.

Shaquille O'Neal was dominating Scot Pollard down low, finishing the game with 24 points and 13 boards. Dwyane Wade was slithering through a porous Pacers' defense on the way to a 37-point, 9-rebound, 6-assist game. Damon Jones was wreaking havoc on the perimeter, going 5-for-5 from 3-point range and 10-for-13 overall from the field on the way to a 27-point night.

The Pacers were outmatched throughout the whole game. With no interior scoring (just 22 of their 114 points came in the paint) and their three best players out of the lineup, there were at least five separate occasions when a Pacers' victory seemed inconceivable.

But every time the Heat threatened to pull away, Miller would come off a series of picks and launch an off-balance jumper that would swish through the basket.

With the Pacers down three with just 10 seconds remaining, everyone in the building knew who was getting the ball. With the crowd chanting "Reg-gie! Reg-gie", the Pacers set up an elaborate set of picks to get Miller free. The Heat were so concerned with Miller that they left Stephen Jackson wide open at the top of the key. Jackson swished a jumper at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

After the Pacers fell behind by four in overtime, Miller took over again, scoring eight points in a 12-point run to put the game away. Miller ended the game with 31 points on 11-of-18 shooting.

That was not too shabby for a 39-year-old who claims he's retiring at season's end.

As the seconds evaporated in yet another improbable victory, the crowd chanted "One more year! One more year!"

After the game, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle found the right words to describe it all.

"Don't underestimate greatness," Carlisle said of Miller. "Tonight was a performance for the ages. … What he's doing right now is what legends are made of, without question."

Miller was a tad more humble.

"Just winning ball games, that's what it's all about, " said Miller as he deflected questions about his retirement and his role on the team.

On every step of the Pacers' journey toward redemption, it's been Miller who's led the way.

As good as he's been in the past – think about the 25 points he scored in the fourth quarter against the Knicks in 1994 or the eight points in eight seconds against the Knicks in 1995 – what Miller is doing now is even more remarkable.

In March, Miller averaged 19 ppg – a mark he hasn't achieved since the 1997-98 season. He stepped up huge when his team needed him the most, providing a 39-point performance against the Lakers and a 36-point night against the Trail Blazers.

He's taken an entire team on his skinny, aching back and is carrying it to the finish line – both on and off the court

The Pacers can't exactly say that they saw it coming.

"You could see that Reggie still had something left in spots," Pacers CEO and president Donnie Walsh said. "But no, I don't think any us really knew. Since Jermaine and Ron Artest came, the offense was really set up for them. Reggie was fine deferring to the younger players all the time."

But with both O'Neal and Artest out, Carlisle went back into the archives and dusted off an old offense from 10 years ago, when Reggie was the primary scorer on the team.

The results have even Larry Bird gushing.

"Reggie's just been remarkable. This is how great players respond to adversity," said the president of basketball operations. "It's how great players want to go out … shooting."

But it's been Miller's heroics off the court that have made the biggest difference to the Pacers.

"I've gained more respect for Reggie Miller as a truly great player and a great leader who is willing to lead by example," Carlisle said.

"He doesn't say much, contrary to what people may believe about him and his personality. But he has an enormous impact on the resolve of the team. If you want a reason why this team hasn't given up, I don't think you need to look any further than Reggie."

His teammates agree.

"Reggie Miller has been the key," O'Neal said. "Reggie is energetic, like he's 20 years old. Having a great leader like Reggie, he's never gotten down. He's still fighting. It's inspired every one of us."

The Pistons-Pacers' brawl was supposed to change the game. Damage the reputation of the league. And end the Pacers' season.

None of that has happened. Reggie wouldn't let it happen.

Hours after the Nov. 19 brawl, Carlisle addressed his team on the plane.

"I said I knew that some bad things were going to happen to this team because of what happened," Carlisle remembers.

"I knew there were going to be big suspensions. But I promised the guys that we'd become a better team because of it. That this would bring our team closer together."

Carlisle's prediction on both points proved to be uncanny. The suspensions were unprecedented. Artest was suspended for the season. Jackson got 30 games. O'Neal was lost for 15 games.

If that wasn't bad enough, the Pacers injury situation has been unbelievable. Starting point guard Jamaal Tinsley's been out 31 games because of injuries. Jonathan Bender has missed 64 games. Starting center Jeff Foster has missed 21 games. Backup center Scot Pollard has been out 32. Miller has missed 16 games. O'Neal has missed another 15 games because of injury.

Yet, through it all the Pacers have matured from a bickering team at the start of the season into a close-knit group, pulling for the same goal.

"Trial and tribulation make you stronger," O'Neal said. "The best thing about this team is that we've never given up. It was so easy for us to sit back and say this is not our year. But not one time have we not talked about making the playoffs and competing for a championship. No one has ever stopped talking about it."

That's been deliberate, according to Carlisle and O'Neal.

"No matter what we said, it wasn't going to change anything," O'Neal said. "So we had to come to together as a team and deal with it. In life, there are consequences. Our team has dealt with it. We learned that the way to fix what happened was to go on the court every night, play at high level and win basketball games.

"We did it for our fans and we did it for ourselves."

The results have been remarkable. Just two weeks ago, the Pacers' playoff chances looked slim.

The team was barely hanging on to eighth place and had upcoming games against the playoff-bound San Antonio Spurs, Pistons, Bulls, Heat and Wizards on the schedule. Against all odds, the Pacers have won four of those five and moved up two spots into the sixth seed in the East.

Barring a last-minute collapse, the Pacers will be in the playoffs – and will scare the heck out of the Heat, Pistons or Boston Celtics in a first round matchup. The Pacers have beaten the Heat three times, beaten the Pistons twice in Detroit, and have won two out of three against the Celtics.

With O'Neal claiming that his rehab of his injured shoulder is ahead of schedule and that he'll be ready for the playoffs, the Pacers have become the proverbial team no one wants to meet in the first round.

Even with O'Neal, the Pacers, on paper, don't have the talent to make a team such as the Heat or Pistons sweat. Tinsley likely won't be back. Artest will be watching from home. And their bench looks like the walking wounded.

But before you write off the Pacers one last time, remember that for them, their journey is personal. Their motivation is love.

"I know Reggie's going to hate this," O'Neal says, his voice cracking with emotion. "He always tells us that we should do it for ourselves. I just want to do everything I can to make sure he goes out the way he deserves. … with the crowd chanting 'Reg-gie! Reg-gie!' and a trophy held high above his head."

Whether they actually achieve that goal is irrelevant.

In a game rife with selfishness and pride, Miller and the Pacers have given NBA fans a reason to believe again in the game, its players and the power of redemption.

[Fresh8]

He belongs in a class of his own IMO... he's one of those great players who could do one or two things to near perfection and those two things werre shooting and playing off the ball.

[shadowgrin]

Great articles for one of my favorite players! I'm sure going to miss him when I watch a Pacers game.

Carlisle went back into the archives and dusted off an old offense from 10 years ago, when Reggie was the primary scorer on the team

Another reason for me to watch every Pacers game on TV! Just like the old days when Reggie would shoot the lights out against the opponent!

[Username123]

Its not really a sad thing... he made millions and now is retiring thats not very sad. Anyway its bad to see the best three point player leave

actually it is a sad thing for pacers fans. He is a guy who has inspired my game, and has been someone who i have idolized for 16 years since i became a pacers fan. It may not be sad for you which is understandable, but i will be sad for a very long time when he retires.

Yea i can relate to that i knw how it feels to see ur idol go and stuff. Same thing happend to me i used to love watching FRIENDS but they stopped making seasons and i was really sad.

[Indy]

great article louisville

and the one more year chant, i started that

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Let's face it: Every time Reggie stepped onto the Madison Square GARDEN, he became a LAWNMOWER.... Not many people have tied their best games with a single arena, except maybe MJ at the MSG too. Maybe the MSG is cursed after all for the Knicks...

[Amphatoast]

i think marbury is a curse.
Did you know every former team he has played for, the season after he leaves that team wins 50+games?

i wouldn't mind seeing reggie schooling the knicks 1 last time though.. knicks need all the L's they can get to hopefully prepare for the future

[Indy]

Let's face it: Every time Reggie stepped onto the Madison Square GARDEN, he became a LAWNMOWER.... Not many people have tied their best games with a single arena, except maybe MJ at the MSG too. Maybe the MSG is cursed after all for the Knicks...

its a beautiful place though, one of my favorite arenas to go to.

[Sauru]

you know, i was never a fan of reggie. never really liked him or the pacers at all. now i am not saying i disliked them either, just never really cared either way. But, now that i see him about to step away from the game i realize i will miss him.

[COOLmac©]

will reggie consider coaching?

[Sauru]

imo he would be better behind a mic than sitting courtside.

[Amphatoast]

yeah him and his sister would be a good combo..replace espn current people

[Sauru]

i rather see a old worn out record player and a danceing chimp than anything espn has to offer

[shadowgrin]

ONE MORE YEAR!
Just look at next year if Reggie returned and the Pacers are healthy!
C Dale Davis / Jeff Foster
PF Jermaine O'Neal
SF Ron Artest (if he doesn't turn into a nutcase)
SG Stephen Jackson / Reggie Miller
PG Jamaal Tinsley
Jonathan Bender
Austin Croshere
Scot Pollard
It may not be pretty to look at but they'll have a chance to win a championship.

[Username123]

You forgot to add Fred Jones to your list.

[shadowgrin]

I'm still not convinced of his playing style, being a good dunker doesn't make him a good player, for now.

[LouisvilleLip]

I'm still not convinced of his playing style, being a good dunker doesn't make him a good player, for now.

Hes second on the pacers in the 3 pointers made and is shooting almost 40% from 3 and nearly 45% fg. Check his numbers right after the brawl, hes a excellent scorer and has really worked on his shooting a lot. Hes easily the 2nd best shooter on the team behind Reggie.